Discuss the role of Jerusalem as a contested city in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Jerusalem is a contested city in the Arab-Israeli conflict due to its religious significance and disputed political sovereignty.

Jerusalem holds immense religious significance for both Jews and Muslims, making it a focal point of the Arab-Israeli conflict. For Jews, it is the site of the ancient Jewish temples and the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple. For Muslims, it is the location of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, from where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. This religious significance has made the city a symbol of national identity and a matter of pride for both Israelis and Palestinians, intensifying the conflict over its control.

The political sovereignty of Jerusalem is another contentious issue. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Jerusalem was divided into West Jerusalem, controlled by Israel, and East Jerusalem, controlled by Jordan. However, during the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured East Jerusalem and later annexed it, a move not recognised by the international community. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, while Israel considers the entire city its undivided capital. This dispute over political sovereignty has led to numerous conflicts and peace process breakdowns.

The status of Jerusalem has also been a major stumbling block in peace negotiations. The Oslo Accords of the 1990s, which laid the groundwork for a two-state solution, left the issue of Jerusalem to be resolved in future negotiations. However, subsequent talks have failed to reach a consensus on the city's status. The Camp David Summit in 2000, for instance, collapsed largely due to disagreements over Jerusalem. More recently, the US's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017 further complicated the issue, sparking widespread protests and condemnation.

The demographic changes in Jerusalem have further fuelled the conflict. Since 1967, Israel has pursued a policy of establishing Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem, altering the city's demographic balance. Palestinians view this as an attempt to pre-empt negotiations over the city's status. The Israeli government, on the other hand, sees it as a legitimate exercise of its sovereignty. This has led to a cycle of violence and counter-violence, exacerbating tensions in the city.

In conclusion, Jerusalem's religious significance, disputed political sovereignty, unresolved status in peace negotiations, and demographic changes make it a contested city in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Its status remains one of the most complex and emotive issues in the conflict